18 Comments
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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

“Go on,” he said. “Humor me.”

Yes, yes, lie down. 😅 Great little tale and the red poppies are a nice touch.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Alexander! ❤️😅

Will Boucher's avatar

Love the return of the feather man. One of my favorites from you: story had me hooked and the thoughts about death and remembrance are beautiful.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Will! ❤️ Feather man lives to see another day.

A.P. Murphy's avatar

I want a cat like Poocumbers to whisper in my ear and tell me how to do a story as cool as this.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you!! ❤️ Poocumbers is definitely a magical cat but her dialogue skills need a little work. ✨

Thomas Greenbank's avatar

Great little story, Sean. I'll have to check out some more of your stuff.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Thomas! ❤️

Sandy Stuart Shaller's avatar

"Something Perfect' was a story I had to read three times. First or all, I love the way you seem to effortlessly throw in details about the town that establish it in the reader's mind. Then, of course, there is the opening that has your main character set in the reader's mind. What follows is an intense character study up to the moment that he climbs in the grave. The ending, with the poppies was pretty dazzling. It's impossible to think of poppies and not imagine The Wonderful Wizard of OZ, but suddenly the reader imagines something very different. I read Ken Flyingheart's comments and he's nailed it. Incredible character and prose.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

❤️ Thank you, Sandy!!

Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Another winner, Sean! Love the dialogue; it really sings. It was darkly emotional, managed to punch me in the gut, for some reason. Death and life, life in death— so well done. The prose was on point, as usual, and I’m glad you couldn’t squash him. There should be other stories like these. And in general, of course! Keep em coming!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

❤️🙏🏼Thank you! I’m glad I didn’t because I have his perfect end in sight now.

Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Sounds ominous. The best kind of sound, really.

Liz Zimmers's avatar

Zen-brutal! Yes!

Liz Zimmers's avatar

This is haunting. The walking stick man is…strangely appealing. Death as a hiker, a nature-lover. I loved this.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

❤️ Thank you! He's zen-brutal--I find him appealing, too.

EJ Trask's avatar

this might be my favorite Sean McDonnell yet. absolutely beautiful, haunting, wicked with a shovelful of the existential dread that i love.